GoPro Hero2: Faster, Bigger, WiFi-er

Tough, good-looking and versatile. The new Hero2 is the James Bond of cameras

GoPro has launched a big update to its sports cam line. The HD Hero2 jumps from 5MP to 11MP, will shoot 1080p video at all angles of view (90, 127 and 170-degrees) and can now beam video via Wi-Fi to a new accessory.

Apart from being rugged and sport-friendly, the Hero line will also mount on just about anything. Reflecting this, the camera can be had in three $300 kits: Outdoor, Motorsports and Surf. These give various combinations of fixings: helmet mounts adhesive pads, bungee cords, pivot-arms, a waterproof housing and even the terrifying-sounding “floaty backdoor.”

Thus secured, the camera will shoot action video and output it through a new mini HDMI port and slurp sound through a jack for an external mic. And if the situation is too dangerous for actual people, the soon-to-be-launched BacPac will come in handy. This clips to the back of the Hero2 and not only streams live video but allows remote control via smartphone app (you’ll need to have some kind of Wi-Fi network to use it).